Drill and underreamer



1. C. STOKES.

DRILL AND UNDERREAMER.

APPLICATION man APR.s,19zo.

Patented May 24,1921.

lim

2 SHEU S-SHEET l.

J. C. STOKES.

DRILL AND UNDERREAMER. APPLlcAnoN msn APR.e,192o

Patented May 24,1921.

2 SHEElS-SHEET 2.

. Iclf-In [2.*5icv1ka51 nwwboz JOHN C. STORES, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA.

DRILL AND UNDERREAMER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1921.

Application led April 6, 1920. Serial No. 371,608.

To all whom it may Concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. STORES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shreveport, in the parish of Caddo and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drills and Underreamers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drills and underreamers used in deep well boring and is an improvement on my application filed December 20, 1919, Serial No. 346,273, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved means for raising and lowering the drill bist and carrier in the stem and casing and for automatically releasing the hoisting and lowering cable when the bit blades and carrier reach their correct operative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for indicating to the driller when the bit blades reach ytheir correct extended position, so as to insure the correct operation of the drill bit with the drill holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bit holder arranged to be connected to the casing in a simple and inexpensive manner and having shoulders formed therein for bracing the bit blades throughout their length, and which are so arranged in relation to the blades that the same will engage the blades if rotation of the casing is inadvertently reversed.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the bit blade so that the size thereof will not be reduced as the outer edges of Ithe bla-des wear, and so that the blades will release the dirt caught in between the same and the bit holder when the blades are moved into their collapsed inoperative position.

A still further object of the invention is to generally improve the construction of the drill and underreamer and it is to be understood that various sizes of bits may be associated with the drill holder.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the improved drill and anden-camel' apparatus showing the blades of the drill bit in operative position.

F1 g. 2. is a similar view showing the bit (arrlcrin a raised position and ythe bit p lades 1n their collapsed inoperative posiion.

Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation of one of the bit blades.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the improved drill apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section through the bit holder and casing showing the bit carrier being moved to its operative position, parts thereof being shown in section, the lowering cable shown connected thereto.

Fig. 7 is :1 detail section through a fragment of the drill carrier showing the lowerm ing cable being released therefrom, when the bit blades reach their operative lowermost positions,

Fig. 8 is a similar View showing the hoisting cable and grapple connected thereto.

Fig. 9 is a detail transverse section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the lowering cable and grapple.

Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of one of thc legs of the bit carrier.

Referring to the -drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designaltc corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the improved drill apparatus which includes the stem B. the drill holder C, the bit carrier D, the bit ll, the lowering cable and gra ple F and the hoisting cable and grapple The stem B is made up of the usual pipe sections 1() of thc desired diameter connected together in .the usual manner. The uppermost pipe section 10 has rotatably connected thereto the cap 11 by the usual or any preferred coupling 12, and the cap is provided with a hanger 13 and the hose 14. Any standard rig (not shown) including cap, hanger, hose connection and ferrule can be used with the improved drill. The lowermost pipe section 10 has threadably connected thereto the bushing or tool holder C.

The tool holder C includes a cylindrical body 15 having an annular flange 16 formed therein adjacent to its upper end. The cylindrical hollow body 15 above the flange 16 is provided with internal screw threads 17 which are adapted to engage the externally threaded lower end of the lowermost pipe sections 10. The inner surface of the cylindrical hollow body 15 below Ythe flange 16 is gradually increased in diameter `toward its lower end as at 18 and this 1nclined portion is provided with a pair of oppositely dispos-ed longitudinally extending ribs 19 which are adapted to engage the bit E Ias will be hereinafter more fully described. The inner faces of the longitudinally extending ribs 19 are in direct alinement with one another as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of ythe. drawings for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The bit carrier D comprises a solid eylindrical body 2O having a less diameter than the internal diameter' of the pipe sections 10 and the lower end of the body 2O is provided with notched or recessed portions 21, which are adapted to receive the upper terminals 0f the depending bit carrier legs 22. The lower end of the body 2() is l recessed so that the legs will extend flush with the outer surface thereof and these legs have their outer surfaces curved so as to conform to the configuration of the body. The legs 22 are held in place by any suitable or preferred type of fastening elements 23. The body 2O at one side of its vertical and horizontal axis is provided with a bore 24 for the reception of the sliding operating rod 25, the opposite ends of which are provided 'with heads 26 and 27, which serve to limit the movement of the rod in the bore. The lower end of the operating rod 25 is adapted to normally rest between the legs 22 and its upper end flush with the upper surface of the body. The inner surfaces of the legs are provided with longitudinally extending channels 28 arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis thereof and these channels diverge toward their lower ends into a pair of branch channels 2S, which terminate at the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the legs. These channels form means for diverting the flow of water, which is introduced in the easingv through the hose 14 to the lower terminals 0f the bit E which will be hereinafter' more fully described to wash the debris from around the same. The lower ends of the legs are tapered as at 29 and are provided with transverse recesses 30 for the reception of the pivot bolt 31 which is adapted to support the bit E.

The bit E is constructed from a pair of sections or blades 32 and 33 and these sections or blades when in their extended position appear similar to the ordinary fish tail bit now in vogue. Each of the blades 32 and 33 include a flat longitudinally extending body having its inner edge inclined as at 34 and terminating in an abrupt shoulder 35 at its upper end. The opposite edge is provided with a recess or notched portion 36. The edges of the blades provided with the notches 36 are provided adjacent to their lower ends with the shoulders 37 which are adapted to engage the lower edge of the bit holder C and the edges below the shoulders 37 are vertically disposed as at 38 so that as the blades wear an aperture of the same size can be bored. The blades 32 and 33 are provided adjacent their inner edges 34 and below the transverse axis thereof with inclined slots 40 having vertically disposed portions 4l. The slots 40 are adapted to receive the pivot bolt 31 and it can be seen that the weight of the carrier D which is formed relatively heavy will move the blades 32 and 33 toward the lower end of the holder C and when the shoulders 35 engage the annular flange 16 these blades will be carried outwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The shoulders 37 of the blades 32 and 33 when in their extended position will engage the lower surface of the holder C as heretofore described and thereby resistv all strain on the bottom of the bit blade tending to urge the same into the holder. The notches 36 receive the annular flange 16 when the blades are in their extended posi tion and also tend to resist all strains urging the blades inwardly. The extreme lower ends of the blades 32 and 33 at the lower edges thereof are sharpened and curved so as to effectively cut into the earth. By forming the inclined slots 40 in the blades 32 and 33 and positioning the pivot bolt 31 therein, it can be seen that the blades are pivotally and slidably supported by the weighted carrier D. When the bladesv32 and 33 are in'their operative positions the opposite faces thereof engage the ribs 19 so that the same will rotate with the tool holder.

The upper end of the body 20 ofthe rigid carrier D is provided with an upwardly cx.- tending centrally disposed threaded stem 44, which is provided with a conical head 45, for a purpose which will hereinafter more fully appear. The stem 44 has slidably mounted thereon the truste-conical weight 46 which is adapted to engage the head 26 of the operating rod 25, and the frusto-conical weight 46 is adapted to normally urge the rod 25 downwardly in its bore 24. When the blades 32 and. 33 reach the lower end of the holder C and are held against further downward movement, the lower head 27 of the rod 25 will engage the ,blades and be forced upwardly and move the frusto conical weight 46 upwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

To facilitate the lowering of the carrier D and the blades E in the casing B, the lowering cable F is provided and the same includes any preferred type of ropegor .the

like 46 which has its lower end swivelly connected t0 a yoke 47 which pivotally carries the cross handles 48, which have their lower terminals provided with inwardly extending jaws 49. The upper terminals of the handles 48 extend above the yoke 47 and are provided with inclined inner faces 5t). The inwardly extending jaws 49 are provided with lower inclined faces 51 and it will be seen that when the truste-conical weight 46 is raised by the rod 25, when the same is pushed upwardly by the blades 32 and 33, when the same reach their operative positions, that the arms 48 will be moved outwardly in opposite directions and release the head 45. This permits the lowering cable F to be readily withdrawn from the casing. When the lowering cable F is automatically released the driller at once knows that the blades are in operative position and that the drilling can be started. The arms 48 are normally held toward each other by a leaf spring 52 as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

When it is desired to raise the carrier D and the bit E from the casing the hoisting cable and grapple G is lowered into the casing and the same includes any preferred type of rope or the like 53 which is pivotally connected as at 54 to the fork 55 which carries the pivot bolt 56 on which is pivotally mounted intermediate their ends the handles 58 which are normally urged inwardly toward each other by a leaf spring 59. The lower terminals of the handles 58 are provided with inwardly extending relatively thin jaws 60 which are adapted to extend in between the conical head 45 and the frusto conical weight 46 and engage said head so as to effectively permit the raising of the carrier and bit. The upper ends of the handles 58 are also provided with inclined surfaces 61.

In operation of the improved drill the casing is connected together and lowered into the aperture in the ordinary manner and the jaws 49 are placed in engagement with the conical head 45 and the carrier B and the bit E is lowered into the same. When the bit blades 32 and 33 reach the lower ends of the holder C carried by the end pipe section 10 the rod 25 will be lifted as heretofore described and the lowering cable F released. The casing 10 is then rotated in the ordinary or any preferred manner and when the desired depth has been reached or when the blades 32 and 33 require sharpening, the hoisting cable C is lowered in the casing and the conical head 45 asped bv the jaws 60 and the carrier D an the bit raised from the casing. The operation of the drill is substantially the same as that described in my application filed December 20, 1919, Serial No. 346,273.

The upper edges of the blades 32 and 33 directly below the shoulder 35 have one face thereof beveled as at 64 which forms means for displacing any particles of debris which might have accumulated between the blades and holder during the boring operation. There is a possibility of small particles of rocks and dirt becoming jammed between the holder C and the blades at the beveled portion and when they are moved to their folded positions as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings, the dirt will be shifted to the straight latch bar by the grooves on the opposite edges of the blades.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; but,

I claim:

1. A drill comprising a tool holder having an inwardly extending annular rib formed on its inner surface adjacent to the upper end thereof and inwardly extending diametrically disposed longitudinally extending ribs, a bit carrier, a pair of blades pivotally carried by the carrier, having outwardly extending shoulders formed thereon arranged to engage the upper surface of the annular rib, the opposite outer edges of the blades being arranged to engage the longitudinally extending ribs when the shoulders on the blades engage the annular rib.

2. A drill comprising a tool holder having an inwardly extending annular rib formed therein adjacent to its upper end, the inner face of the holder abve the rib being provided with internal threads, the inner fare of the holder below the rib being inclined downwardly and outwardly, diametrieally opposed longitudinally extending ribs formed on the inner inclined face of the holder` a bit carrier, a sectional bit pivotally and slidably mounted on the carrier, the bit sections having outwardly extending shoulders arranged to engage the annular rib` the outer edges of the sections being arranged to engage said longitudinally extending ribs.

Il. ln a drill apparatus, a bit carrier including a cylindrical body, and depending spaced legs, the inner faces of the legs being provided with longitudinally extending channels.

4. ln a drill apparatus, a bit carrier comprising a cylindrical weighted body, depending spaced legs carried by the body, the lower terminals of the legs being tapered, the inner faces of the legs having longitudinally extending water ways therein.

In a drill apparatus, a bit carrier including a cylindrical body having its opposite faces adjacent to the lower end thereof provided with recesses, a pair of depending legs fitted in said recesses, detachable means securing the legs to the body, the inner faces of the legs having longitudinally extending water channels arranged therein on one side of the longitudinal axis, the channels v adjacent to the lower ends of the legs being branched.

6. In a drill apparatus, a bit carrier including a body, a pair of depending legs carried by the body having water channels formed inv the inner faces thereof, a sectional bit carried by the legs and arranged to engage the inner faces thereof.

7. A drill apparatus comprising a drill stem, a tool holder carried by the lower end of the drill stem, a bit carrier slidably associated with the drill stem, a sectional bit associated with the carrier, the holder having an inwardly extending annular flange, shoulders formed on the sections of the bit at the opposite edges thereof, andkadjacent to its opposite ends, the shoulders being arranged to engage respectively the annular flange and the lower edge of the holder.

8. A drill apparatus comprising a drill stem, a drill holder carried by the lower end of the drill stem, a bit carrier, a sectional bit associated with the carrier, a stem formed on the carrier, a head carried by the stem, means for engaging the head, and means for releasing said head engaging means whenk the bit carrier reaches a predetermined position.

9. A drill comprising a casing, a holder carried by the lower end of the casing, a bit carrier, a sectional `bit carried by the carrier, an upstanding stem carried by` the carrier, a conical head formed on the stem, and a frusto conical Weight slidably mounted on the stem.

10. The combination with a carrier including a bit body, a stem carried by the body, a conical head formed on the stem, of a grapple arranged to engage said head including a pair of pivoted jaws, and means for releasing the grapple when the bit body reaches a predetermined position.

11. The combination with a bit carrier including a body, a stem carried by the body, a conical head formed on the stem, a frusto conical weight slidably mounted on said stem, of a apple arranged to engage the head inclu ing a pair of jaws having tapered lower faces.

12. The combination with a bit carrier including a body having a longitudinally extending bore formed therein, an outwardly extending stem, a head formed on the stem, a frusto conical weight slidably mounted on said stem and arranged over said bore, a rod slidably mounted in the bore and having heads formed thereon, a sectional bit slidably and pivotally carried by the body and arranged to engage the rod, of a grapple including a pair of pivotally connected jaws having tapered lower faces arranged to be engaged by the sliding weight.

13. The combination with a carrier including a bit body, a stem carried by the body, ahead formed on the stem, of a grapple arranged to engage said head, and means slidably associated with said stem for releasing said grapple when the bit body reaches a predetermined position.

14. The combination with a carrier, a pair of bit blades connected with the carrier, a head arranged on the carrier, of a grapple arranged to engage the head, and bit blade actuated means for releasing the grapple from the head when the bit blades reach a predetermined position. c

15. The combination with a carrier, including a bit body, a pair of bit blades connected with the carrier, a stem arranged on the carrier, a head formed on the stem, a weight slidably mounted on the stem, of a grapple arranged to engage the head and bit blade actuated means arranged to engage and operate said weight for forcing the same against the grapple to release the same.

16. A drill comprising a tool holder having an inwardly extending annular rib formed on its inner surface, and inwardly extending diametrically disposed longitudinally extending ribs, a bit carrier, a pair of blades pivotally supported by the carrier having outwardly extending shoulders formed thereon for engagement with the annular rib, the opposite sides of the longitudinally extending ribs being provided with straight faces, the opposite faces of the blades being adapted to engage the opposite faces of the ribs irrespective of the direction of rotation of the tool holder.

JOHN C. STOKES. 

